All-new 2008, 3008 and 5008

Published November 30, 2017, 10:00 PM

Text and photos by Iñigo S. Roces

Peugeot is preparing for a more fiercely competitive car market in the coming year. In line with its parent company, the PSA Group’s global SUV offensive, Peugeot Philippines unveiled all three of its new SUVs for the local market. Peugeot’s new SUV range boasts of captivating style, dynamic performance, and revolutionary engine technology.

Marking the brand’s first venture into the booming segment, the new SUV line is a product of years of research and engineering. The line-up features a unique design language to create distinct and stylistically consistent vehicles.

Beneath the three new vehicles is a compact frame, adapted to the entire range while keeping a spacious interior cabin. This feature allows the vehicles to look athletic and agile on the outside while maintaining the same degree of space and comfort found on conventional SUVs. Other benefits from the new platform is the lower center of gravity, lighter but sturdier frames, and a patented Advanced Grip Control mechanism that replaces the typical 4×4 setup found in the majority of SUVs.

Unlike its competitors, the new SUVs’ low center of gravity and the right amount of ground clearance allow them to have reduced the body roll that is common in traditional SUVs. This also results in better stability at any speed. On the larger SUVs, the Efficient Modular Platform 2 setup greatly reduces weight while improving on suspension, allowing the driver to tackle any terrain while keeping the agility and nimbleness of a lighter vehicle.

Also standard in the new Peugeot SUV range is the brand’s signature iCockpit. Boasting of a minimalist look and intuitive functionality, the second generation iCockpit has been redesigned to further enhance the driving sensation. It allows the driver to change the ambiance of the cabin with just the touch of a button, producing either a calming or energizing effect. Built-in scent diffusers, ambient lighting, and multi-function massage seats and changes their settings automatically depending on the user’s preference.

Propelling these vehicles are the next generation of Peugeot’s petrol engines. Powering the 2008 SUV is the 1.2L Puretech engine, available for the first time in the Philippines. Featuring just three cylinders, the 1.2L PureTech engine boasts of new performance and emission-reducing technologies such as a gasoline particulate filter that reduces emissions by more than 75-percent, optimized combustion cycles, and a compact form that maximizes vehicle aerodynamics and fuel efficiency.

The 1.6L Turbo High-Pressure engine will be available on the 3008 SUV. First debuted locally on the Peugeot 308 and 208 GTi, the engine provides savings in weight while still delivering a large amount of power.

Both the THP and PureTech engines proved their high efficiency during this year’s Department of Energy Fuel Economy Run, a yearly benchmarking event held by the government that gives the official fuel efficiency ratings. The Peugeot 3008 SUV GT Line scored 16.84km/L while the Peugeot 2008 and 5008 SUVs scored 20.19km/L and 18.54km/L respectively.

The all-new Peugeot 3008 SUV GT Line is now available in limited supply and has a suggested retail price of P2,590,000. The new 2008 SUV will be available in 2018 and has a suggested retail price of P1,490,000. The all-new 5008 SUV is slated to be available in 2018 as well with a suggested retail price to be announced soon.

“Peugeot’s new SUV range represents the brand’s bold move into the future,” said Peugeot Philippines President, Glen Dasig.Although late in the SUV game, Peugeot Philippines’ President said that this gave the brand the advantage to rethink some conventional ideas and notions about the growing segment. “We have made good use of this time to create an SUV range that is uniquely us,” Dasig said. “The Lion is awake and the wait was definitely worth it.”